Richie

Richie is a masculine given name and a common nickname for Richard. It is typically used in English-speaking countries and has produced several affectionate spellings, notably Richie, Ritchie, and Ric. The name Richard itself derives from Old Germanic elements meaning "ruler" and "hardy" or "brave," roughly translating to "powerful ruler."

As a standalone given name, Richie emerged in the 20th century and has been used across various cultures. It is most often encountered in the United States and the United Kingdom, where it has been used for both fictional and real-life figures.

Notable people named Richie include Richie Sambora (born 1959), guitarist of Bon Jovi; Richie McCaw (born 1980), longtime captain of New Zealand's All Blacks; and Richie Ramone (born 1957), former drummer of the Ramones. These examples illustrate the name's reach across music and sports.

In fiction, Richie is used for a number of characters, such as Richie Tozier in Stephen King's It and Richie Cunningham in Happy Days, highlighting the name's familiarity in popular culture.

Variants and related names include Ritchie and Ric; the surname Richie exists but is less common as a given name. The form Richie remains a widely recognized casual version of Richard in contemporary use.